Raphaël Lessard (pronounced "less-ard"; born July 5, 2001)[1] is a Canadian professional stock car racing driver. He currently competes part-time in the NASCAR Pinty's Series for Ed Hakonson Racing. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driving the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado for GMS Racing. He has also driven for Venturini Motorsports in the ARCA Racing Series, and GMS Racing, Kyle Busch Motorsports and DGR-Crosley in the Truck Series.
| Raphaël Lessard | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpeg) Lessard at Martinsville Speedway in 2019 | |||||||
| Born | July 5, 2001 St-Joseph-de-Beauce, Quebec, Canada | ||||||
| Achievements | First French Canadian to win a NASCAR National Series race and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race 2016 CARS Super Late Model Tour Champion 2018 Redbud 400 Winner 2021 Tom Curley 250 Winner | ||||||
| Awards | 2016 CARS Super Late Model Tour Rookie of the Year | ||||||
| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career | |||||||
| 35 races run over 3 years | |||||||
| 2021 position | 28th | ||||||
| Best finish | 12th (2020) | ||||||
| First race | 2019 TruNorth Global 250 (Martinsville) | ||||||
| Last race | 2021 WISE Power 200 (Kansas) | ||||||
| First win | 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 250 (Talladega) | ||||||
| |||||||
| NASCAR Canada Series career | |||||||
| 8 races run over 3 years | |||||||
| 2021 position | 21st | ||||||
| Best finish | 27th (2019) | ||||||
| First race | 2019 Budweiser 300 (Chaudiere) | ||||||
| Last race | 2022 Pro-Line 225 (Newfoundland) | ||||||
| First win | 2019 Budweiser 300 (Chaudiere) | ||||||
| Last win | 2021 General Tire 125 (Sunset) | ||||||
| |||||||
| Statistics current as of December 29, 2021. | |||||||
Racing career
editEarly career
editLessard started racing in an old Honda Civic, winning his first race on the day of his twelfth birthday. He then ran Quebec sportsmans and super late models in Canada before moving to America.[2]
CARS Tour
edit2015
editHis first American racing experience came in the CARS Super Late Model Tour, driving the 2015 season for Toyota Racing Development and David Gilliland Racing.[3]
2016
editIn 2016, at age 15, and in grade 10, he became the second non-American to win the CARS Super Late Model series championship,[4] the other being Mario Gosselin, also a Canadian from Quebec, who accomplished the feat in 1997.[5] It was Lessard's first championship.[4] He won four of ten races during the season, including the season finale at Southern National Motorsports Park.[4] Lessard continued with Toyota and David Gilliland Racing to run late model racing in large events like the Winchester 400, Snowball Derby and various PASS Late Model, CRA Racing Series and ARCA Racing Series events.[6]
2017
editTo start off 2017 he was disqualified from an April PASS race for intentionally wrecking other drivers, illegally passing under yellow, and inappropriate actions by his crew.[7]
ARCA Racing Series
edit2017
editHe debuted in the ARCA Racing Series in 2017 driving for Venturini Motorsports.[8] He made the top ten in his second start at Winchester Speedway.[9]
NASCAR
editTruck Series
edit2019
editOn February 15, 2019, it was announced that Lessard will drive three races in the No. 46 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series.[10] Lessard started 7th and finished 14th in his Truck Series debut at Martinsville.[11] In June, he joined DGR-Crosley's No. 17 truck for the Iowa Speedway and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park races.[12]
2020
editIn 2020, Lessard joined KBM for the full Truck season in the No. 4 Tundra.[13] Despite missing the playoffs, he won his first career Truck race at Talladega Superspeedway when he was leading as the caution came out on the final lap, becoming the first French Canadian to win in a NASCAR national series.[14]
2021
editLessard lost his KBM ride to John Hunter Nemechek in 2021 and subsequently moved to GMS Racing to drive the No. 24. The plans initially outlined a 12-race schedule before it was increased to the full season.[15][16] However, funding troubles forced him out of the truck after seven races.[17]
Xfinity Series
edit2022
editLessard was scheduled to drive the No. 87 for SQR Development on a part-time basis in the NASCAR Xfinity Series throughout the 2022. Team owner J. C. Stout was unable to field the team due to "personal reasons", leaving Lessard without a ride.[18] Stout had been arrested in January 2022 for criminal contempt after a pattern of erratic behavior.[19]
Pinty’s Series
2019
Lessard would make his Pinty’s Series debut at Autodrome Chaudière. He would go onto to win in his Series debut.
2021
Lessard would sweep the first two races at Sunset.
Personal life
editLessard's father was a race car driver but sold his cars to help move Raphaël's racing career.[20]
Motorsports career results
editNASCAR
edit(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
Camping World Truck Series
edit| NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | NCWTC | Pts | Ref | |||||||||||||||
| 2019 | Kyle Busch Motorsports | 46 | Toyota | DAY | ATL | LVS | MAR 14 |
TEX | DOV 11 |
KAN | CLT | TEX | BRI 12 |
32nd | 135 | [21] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| DGR-Crosley | 17 | Toyota | IOW 9 |
GTW | CHI | KEN | POC | ELD | MCH | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 54 | MSP 10 |
LVS | TAL | MAR | PHO | HOM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | Kyle Busch Motorsports | 4 | Toyota | DAY 20 |
LVS 30 |
CLT 15 |
ATL 18 |
HOM 11 |
POC 37 |
KEN 13 |
TEX 12 |
KAN 16 |
KAN 11 |
MCH 7 |
DAY 3 |
DOV 19 |
GTW 6 |
DAR 6 |
RCH 26 |
BRI 18 |
LVS 20 |
TAL 1 |
KAN 33 |
TEX 4 |
MAR 20 |
PHO 5 |
12th | 563 | [22] | |||||||||||||||
| 2021 | GMS Racing | 24 | Chevy | DAY 23 |
DAY 26 |
LVS 30 |
ATL 39 |
BRI 3 |
RCH 23 |
KAN 8 |
DAR | COA | CLT | TEX | NSH | POC | KNX | GLN | GTW | DAR | BRI | LVS | TAL | MAR | PHO | 28th | 150 | [23] | ||||||||||||||||
K&N Pro Series East
edit| NASCAR K&N Pro Series East results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | NKNPSEC | Pts | Ref | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | Bill McAnally Racing | 50 | Toyota | NSM | BRI 9 |
SBO | SBO | MEM | NHA | IOW | GLN | BRI | GTW | NHA | DOV | 34th | 35 | [24] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pinty's Series
edit| NASCAR Pinty's Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | NPSC | Pts | Ref | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | Dumoulin Compétition | 07 | Dodge | MSP | JUK | ACD 1* |
TOR | SAS | SAS | EIR | CTR 7 |
RIS | MSP | ASE | NHA | JUK | 27th | 85 | [25] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2021 | Wight Motorsports | 80 | Chevy | SUN 1 |
SUN 1* |
CTR 14 |
ICAR | MSP | MSP | FLA | FLA | DEL | DEL | 21st | 125 | [26] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Ed Hakonson Racing | 8 | SUN 2 |
MSP | ACD 6 |
AVE 8 |
TOR | EDM 15 |
SAS 15 |
SAS 4 |
CTR | OSK 21 |
ICAR | MSP | DEL 14 |
17th | 268 | [27] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ARCA Menards Series
edit(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
| ARCA Menards Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | AMSC | Pts | Ref | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2017 | Venturini Motorsports | 25 | Toyota | DAY | NSH 33 |
SLM 13 |
TAL | TOL | ELK | POC | MCH | MAD | IOW | IRP | POC | WIN 10 |
ISF | ROA | DSF | SLM | CHI | KEN | KAN | 51st | 370 | [28] | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | KBR Development | 19 | Chevy | DAY | FIF 8 |
SLM | TAL | NSH | TOL | CLT | 27th | 615 | [29] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 28 | POC 4 |
MCH | MAD | GTW | CHI | ELK | IOW | POC 5 |
ISF | DSF | SLM | IRP | KAN | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points
References
edit- ^ "Raphael Lessard summary". Racing Reference. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- ^ McDonald, Norris (2017-08-19). "Raphael Lessard, 16, is taking the stock-car racing world by storm". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ^ "Raphael Lessard – NASCAR Talk". nascar.nbcsports.com. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ^ a b c "SLM: A Canadian Goes South and Claims CARS SLM Title". Speed51.com. 12 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- ^ "Raphaël Lessard crowned champion of the 2016 CARS Super Late Model Tour". Edmonton Journal. 12 November 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
- ^ "Raphael Lessard 2017 DGR Race Schedule". David Gilliland Racing. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ^ "PASS Statement Regarding Raphael Lessard Disqualification At Hickory – race22.com". race22.online. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ^ "Quebec's Raphael Lessard returns...race-ready for Winchester". ARCA Racing. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ^ "Driver Raphael Lessard 2017 ARCA Racing Series Results - Racing-Reference.info". racing-reference.info. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ^ "Lessard Returns To KBM For Three Truck Races". Speed Sport. February 15, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
- ^ "An afternoon to remember for Raphael Lessard". Motorsport.com. March 23, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Lessard Picks Up Two Gander Trucks Races with DGR-Crosley". DGR-Crosley. June 6, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
- ^ "Canadian Raphael Lessard set to compete full-time for KBM in 2020". Kyle Busch Motorsports. November 14, 2019. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
- ^ "Canadian rookie Raphael Lessard grabs NASCAR Truck series win at Talladega". ESPN.com. ESPN. AP. October 3, 2020. Retrieved October 3, 2020.
- ^ Long, Dustin (November 25, 2020). "Raphael Lessard joins GMS Racing for 2021 season". NBC Sports. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
- ^ Estrada, Chris (January 7, 2021). "Raphael Lessard to run full Truck Series season for GMS Racing". NBC Sports. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
- ^ Utter, Jim (May 3, 2021). "Funding issues cut short Raphael Lessard's NASCAR Truck season". Motorsport.com. Motorsport.com. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
- ^ "Raphael Lessard, SQR Development drop 2022 Xfinity plans". thecheckeredflag.com. thecheckeredflag.com. March 30, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ "Castile man arrested at airport after days of 'threatening behavior'". thedailynewsonline.com. January 2, 2022. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
- ^ Mio, Kevin (2016-12-06). "Raphael Lessard doesn't have a licence, but boy can he drive". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved 2017-12-14.
- ^ "Raphael Lessard – 2019 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
- ^ "Raphael Lessard – 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
- ^ "Raphael Lessard – 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
- ^ "Raphael Lessard – 2019 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
- ^ "Raphaël Lessard – 2019 NASCAR Pinty's Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
- ^ "Raphael Lessard – 2021 NASCAR Pinty's Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
- ^ "Raphael Lessard – 2022 NASCAR Pinty's Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
- ^ "Raphael Lessard – 2017 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 15, 2019.
- ^ "Raphael Lessard – 2019 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
External links
edit
- Website
- Raphaël Lessard driver statistics at Racing-Reference